How to Fix Acrobat DC Installation Error 136 on macOS Mojave
Question details
The user is unable to install Adobe Acrobat DC through the Creative Cloud desktop app due to error code 136.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- macOS Mojave
- Scenario
- Attempting to install the Acrobat DC application using the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop interface.
- Observed behavior
- The installation process interrupts and fails with error 136, despite other Adobe applications installing successfully on the exact same system.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection and active administrator privileges on your Mac before attempting to update the installer or download the software again.
Update the Creative Cloud Desktop App and Restart
Updating the Creative Cloud desktop client often resolves underlying sync and installer bugs that trigger error 136.
Error 136 is frequently caused by using an outdated version of the Creative Cloud installer framework. Forcing an update refreshes the background services required for Acrobat to install properly.
Launch the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application on your Mac. Navigate to the Help menu at the top of the screen and select 'Check for Updates' to ensure you are running the latest version.
Once the application update is complete, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select 'Restart' to reboot your system and clear temporary cache files.
Open the Creative Cloud app again, navigate to the Apps tab, locate Adobe Acrobat DC, and click the 'Install' button.
Install Acrobat DC via Direct Download
If the Creative Cloud app continues to fail, bypassing it with a standalone offline installer is the most reliable alternative.
Edit PDFs Without the Installation Hassles
If you are tired of troubleshooting heavy software installations, consider WPS Office. It includes a powerful, built-in PDF editor that works seamlessly on your Mac without massive system requirements.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and drag your PDF file into the workspace to start editing instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does error 136 mean in Adobe Creative Cloud?
Error 136 typically indicates a failure within the Creative Cloud desktop application's installer module. It is often caused by outdated app versions, corrupted background processes, or temporary file conflicts during the installation.
Is Adobe Acrobat DC still compatible with macOS Mojave?
Older standalone versions of Acrobat DC support macOS Mojave, but Adobe's latest Creative Cloud updates often require newer macOS versions like Catalina or later. If you face persistent errors, verify that the installer version you are downloading officially supports macOS 10.14 Mojave.
Why do other Adobe apps install perfectly while Acrobat fails?
Acrobat DC uses a slightly different and more complex installation framework than other Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop or Illustrator. It requires specific system permissions and background services to manage virtual printers and PDF integrations, making it more susceptible to version mismatch errors.
